A row over a Teesside MP's trip to Gibraltar has been "overblown" according to his agent today.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar was among 11 MPs who visited Gibraltar this weekend, as the island fights to stop Britain sealing a deal with Spain to share sovereignty.

According to the Gibraltar Government website, the MPs' visit included meetings with members of the Foreign Affairs Advisory Council and a briefing on the current political situation by the Chief Minister, Peter Caruana.

Before leaving today following a press conference, the website adds, the MPs enjoyed free time over the weekend for tours, dolphin safaris or walks.

The trip has sparked some parliamentary criticism from Labour's Luton MP Margaret Moran, who said Gibraltar "seems to be trying to create its own payroll vote" by encouraging "trips for favours".

But Dr Kumar's agent, David Walsh, today said: "This has been overblown.

"The MPs are over there meeting with the representatives from the Gibraltar government which is opposed to being handed over to Spain."

He added: "I think it has been very much misrepresented."

Mr Walsh added: "Locally there are people who have families who live in Gibraltar and have made it quite clear they don't want to hand over to Spain."

The island's 30,000 English-speaking inhabitants would have the final say in a referendum on the future of Gibraltar, with indications being that they wish to remain a crown colony.